Thousands of Russians attend rallies calling for Alexei Navalny’s release Andrew Roth in Moscow © Provided by The Guardian Photograph: Kirill Kukhmar/TASS
Tens of thousands of Russians have rallied in cities across the country in a last-ditch effort to secure the freedom of the jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
The unsanctioned demonstrations have shown the determination of Navalny’s core supporters, who called for “freedom for political prisoners” in tense standoffs with riot police in helmets and body armour, who had vowed to disperse any gatherings.
The nationwide protests fell short of the 500,000 demonstrators that Navalny’s team had sought to bring out on to the streets, but large crowds of up to 10,000 in Moscow and a similarly robust turnout in St Petersburg may at least let them call the evening a draw.
Thousands of Russians attend rallies calling for Alexei Navalny s release
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Кремль і Лукашенко Що робитиме спецназ «Росгвардії» в Білорусі?
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